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NC Native Plant Society:
Plant Details

Obolaria virginica

Pennywort

Scientific Name:

Obolaria virginica

Genus:

Obolaria

Species Epithet:

virginica

Common Name:

Pennywort

Plant Type

Herb/Wildflower

Life Cycle

Perennial

Plant Family

Gentianaceae (Gentian Family)

Native/Alien:

NC Native

Size:

0-1 ft.

Bloom Color(s):

White, Purple

Light:

Less than 2 hours of sun per day

Soil Moisture:

Moist

Bloom Time:

March, April, May

Growing Area:

Mountains, Piedmont, Coastal Plain

Habitat Description:

Nutrient-rich, moist to dry forests, mesic hammocks (Weakley 2015). Common in NC Mountains and Piedmont, rare in Coastal Plain.

Leaf Arrangement:

Opposite

Leaf Retention:

Deciduous

Leaf Type:

Leaves veined, not needle-like or scale-like

Leaf Form:

Simple

Life Cycle:

Perennial

Wildlife Value:

Has some wildlife value

Landscape Value:

Not Recommended for home landscapes

State Rank:

S4: Apparently secure (*Key)

Global Rank:

G5 - Secure (*Key)

Notes:

"The small purplish-green plants are inconspicuous, often nearly hidden under fallen leaves. Obolaria has well-developed mycorrhizae and may be substantially mycotrophic." Weakley 2015.

Blooms

image

Ken Moore
BW Wells' home - Rock Cliff Farm
March

In the rain

image

Ken Moore
BW Wells' home - Rock Cliff Farm
March

Small, easily overlooked plant in early spring.

Orange County, NC

The Scientific Name is Obolaria virginica. You will likely hear them called Pennywort. This picture shows the Small, easily overlooked plant in early spring. of Obolaria virginica

Bettina Darveaux

An unusually large grouping as Obolaria virginica is usually found as scattered single plants.

Seven Mile Creek Natural Area, Orange, Co., NC

The Scientific Name is Obolaria virginica. You will likely hear them called Pennywort. This picture shows the An unusually large grouping as <em>Obolaria virginica</em> is usually found as scattered single plants. of Obolaria virginica

Bettina Darveaux

Links:

USDA PLANTS Database Record



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